The Minor League Tour hosted a one-day event at Champions Club in Stuart, Florida today. Champions Club is a solid layout with palmetto-lined doglegs and rock hard, undulating greens. I struggled with my ball striking all day, unintentionally playing “closest to the post” with out of bounds and hazard stakes all over the course. My short game was impeccable. From inside of 65 yards, I was deadly, making impressive-scrambling par after impressive-scrambling par. I managed to shoot -1. 71 in some windy, rainy conditions and ended up getting in a playoff. Unfortunately, I hit my tee shot into a hazard and lost the playoff hole but got to feel the thrill of contention again and made a solid 2nd place paycheck.

I’m really encouraged by my short game. I’ve simplified my putting stroke by getting my hands high and forward, which minimizes their role in the stroke. From there, I’ve simply been trying to hit solid putts and keep my head very still. This routine is ultra-simple and is the reason I’m cashing checks right now. It feels great to have a couple solid finishes under my belt and I know that my ball striking will be in better form any swing now!